About This Item

The TrueChannel jig turns your laminate router into a floating cutter. As you move the body of the instrument into the cutter, your router glides vertically to follow the body's top edge. Bindings fit correctly, so you won't have to scrape them too thin.

The problem: The arch of the guitar top, and especially the back, will change the router alignment. Without the TrueChannel, a standard router base will tilt, causing the routed channel to be too deep or too shallow; the bindings won't fit right. TrueChannel keeps the router vertical for a square ledge. Bindings fit correctly.

SAVE when you buy this TrueChannel set that includes our #1298 Binding Router Bit Set. Designed especially for luthiers, the set features a super-sharp carbide-tipped bit with 1/4" arbor, and custom bearings for cutting the most common binding widths.

Makes routing a joy!

Prior to purchasing this binding router jig, routing the edge of my guitar bodies was the most intimidating part of building. I'm on my 5th build and all four of my prior guitars show some form of mishap from routing - usually a channel that is too deep or too wide. I just used this jig on my current build and the channels are true and the bindings fit perfectly! I struggled with the purchase price - quite expensive - but now I wish I had purchased this jig when I first got started. It is well worth the investment!

Very easy to use. Fear not!

I'm a very new builder, and the prospect of cutting channels just scared me to death. I have to say I'm glad I spent the cash on this thing. It isn't cheap, but if you're planning on doing several or more instruments I believe it is worth it. I use a colt router along w the bushings offered at STewmac and the result is a consistent great looking cut all around. I'm on my 2nd instrument right now and have total confidence in cutting binding channels.

The Simple Solution

I spent hours online looking at various solutions for getting binding channels routed correctly. Some were clever, but extremely complex, others seemed to require the steady hand of a surgeon. This seemed to be the most straightforward, both in design and in operation, and it didn't let me down. My channels came out perfectly. A somewhat similar product is offered on another website, but the Stewmac version is made of metal, is less expensive and far less complicated. If you still need convincing, watch the videos. The other tool is so complex to set up and use, I'd probably still be trying to get everything adjusted!

TrueChannel Jig

Took some time to set up, but after that the binding channels for my 335 project were cut in a couple of minutes. The result was simply perfect. The support post is rock solid, I bolted it down with two M8 bolts as the original bolts were too short for my needs. I also needed to modify the taller body support blocks to be the same height as the lower ones to get the body leveled in the cradle. Maybe there could be an option for a set of support blocks with the same height?

Time saver!

A good binding jig.

Following my third guitar build, a 000 Stew Mac, I realised the home made binding jig had done its job and should be replaced by something smoother. This binding jig arrived quickly and went together easily. I think there should be the option to have bases for different routers, not just the Stew Mac recommended one. It didn't take me long to adapt it, though.
It is well made but I was a bit disappointed with the quality of the angle pieces holding the body supports, not quite up to the standard I expect from Stew Mac. I hope you can see what I mean from the photo. They don't affect functionality so I'm happy.

Piece of cake

I can't comment on how it compares to routing by hand because I've only routed a binding channel once and I used this jig. Having said that it was so easy to set up and use. I bought the whole complete set including the template to fit my Ryobi trimmer. I was a bit nervous before starting my cuts but within minutes I had perfect channels that the bindings fit in nicely.

A very valuable tool

It is with good reason that this tool is plebiscited by many guitar makers, whether novice or experienced. It is because both its simplicity and its effectiveness. And it is worth every penny in terms of outcome. Personally, I have only strengthened the fixing of the vertical guide post by bolting it forcefully through its plywood base to reduce as far as possible the vibrations transmitted by the router to the whole tool. Finally, I think worth remembering that its use requires a certain degree of attention at the beginning to ensure both safety and efficacy.